Plant protectors

ABSTRACT

The plant protector is designed to form a sleeve of triangular cross-section from a flat sheet 10 having a width of 285 mm by way of example. The sleeve is attached to a horizontal support wire 11 by folding a top securing flap 12 past and around the wire 11. The sheet 10 can be of various lengths to form erected sleeves of different heights to suit different applications. By way of example the erected sleeve can be of a number of different heights within a range of about 300 mm to about 1600 mm. 
     Sleeve 13, has spaced sealing tabs 14 along each of the longitudinal edges. The lower end 15 may be engaged with the ground while the upper end has a horizontal crease line 16 for the securing flap 12. The tabs 14 along the two longitudinal edges are mutually offset so that the tabs 14 along each edge align with the inter-tab spaces 15 along the opposite edge so that a dove-tail closing action is achieved.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to plant protectors, and more particularly toprotective sleeve-like members for mounting by means of support-wireattachment to protect vines, trees and other growing plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a plant protectorcomprising a flexible sheet which is adapted to be deformed to surroundan upstanding vine, tree or other growing plant to constitute avertically elongate protective sleeve, said sheet having opposedelongate side edges which, when the sleeve is assembled around theplant, are in adjacent relationship, and means for releasably securingthe adjacent elongate side edges of the assembled sleeve, said securingmeans comprising a series of spaced projecting tabs along each of saidedges so arranged that the respective tabs of the two seriesinterengage, with the edge portions of adjacent tabs interengaging onebehind the other.

Further according to the present invention, there is provided a plantprotector comprising flexible sheet which is initially substantiallyflat and is adapted to be folded to surround an upstanding vine, orother growing plant to constitute a vertically elongate protectivesleeve, means for sealingly and releasably securing the adjacent sideedges of the sheet in assembled relation, and an integral securing flapat the upper end of the protector, said flap being foldable about ahorizontal crease line alignable with a horizontal supporting wirewhereby the securing flap may be folded over the wire to an operativeposition at which releasable locking means on the securing flap retainsthe flap in position to secure the plant protector to the wire.

Preferably in a practical embodiment of the invention, the flexiblesheet is made of material such as plastic flute board for example"CORFLUTE" (with the flute lines running vertically) or any othermaterial having such characteristics that edge tabs on the sheet willexhibit retention resilience when engaged with and between other edgetabs.

Preferably the releasable locking means on the securing flap comprises amedially-disposed T-shaped tab at the uppermost extremity of the flapand adapted to register with a locking slot through which the tab endsmay be passed and resiliently retained.

The protective sleeve could be designed to be of any one of a number ofcross-sections. However, it is preferred that the sheet forming thesleeve has longitudinal crease lines which permit the sheet to be foldedinto a triangular formation, although other polygonal formations couldalternatively be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongate side edges of the sheet aresecured together by spaced tabs along said edges with indents or spacesbetween tabs corresponding to the positions of the tabs on the otheredge such that a dove-tail closing mechanism is achieved with the tabsof the two edges interlocking when pulled across each other, the tabsbeing designed so that they hold tightly but releasably and withoutleaving gaps through which a plant could grow, the releasabilitypermitting opening and closing as frequently as desired for access tothe plant but without likelihood of damage.

Additional features may be provided as required. For example, theprotector can be so made and arranged that it can be stapled or tied toa stake adjacent thereto when the protective sleeve is operative.Preferably, the lower end of the sleeve has at least one hole for thepassage of a steel pin or equivalent means for hammering in andanchoring to the ground. Also, suitable tie wire holes are provided nearto each side edge of the sheet in register with one another and adjacentthe lower ends of inclined upper edge portions which permit access tothe upper end of the protective sleeve, the tie wire holes being usablein the unlikely event of damage to the lower closure means or if atraining string is to be attached to take a vine to a higher wire.Preferably the protector is formed with air holes to permit a coolingair flow through the interior to prevent burning of the plant in hotareas; the air holes are incorporated at a level above that at whichherbicidal sprays applied to the ground for weed control are likely toenter the holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a plant protector in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, the protector being shown in itsunassembled state prior to assembly around a plant;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the protector in its assembled state andinstalled to a supporting wire;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail showing the manner in which the protectoris secured to the supporting wire;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views illustrating the manner in which theprotector is assembled, FIG. 5 being a detailed view of a part of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention in its unassembledstate;

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the invention in its unassembledstate; and

FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 in its assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The embodiment shown in the drawings is designed to form a sleeve oftriangular cross-section from a flat sheet 10 having a width of 285 mmby way of example. The sleeve is attached to a horizontal support wire11 by folding a top securing flap 12 past and around the wire 11. Thesheet 10 can be of various lengths to form erected sleeves of differentheights to suit different applications. By way of example the erectedsleeve can be of a number of different heights within a range of about300 mm to about 1600 mm.

In the drawings the sleeve is indicated generally by the numeral 13,there being spaced sealing tabs 14 along each of the longitudinal edges.The lower end may be engaged with the ground while the upper end has ahorizontal crease line 16 for the securing flap 12. The tabs 14 alongthe two longitudinal edges are mutually offset so that the tabs 14 alongeach edge align with the inter-tab spaces 15 along the opposite edge sothat a dove-tail closing action is achieved as apparent from FIGS. 4 and5.

Conveniently the flexible sheet is made in this instance of "COREFLUTE"but other materials could be used as explained above.

The top securing flap 12 is foldable about a horizontal crease line 16and has a locking tongue 17, the flap 12 being secured by means of aT-shaped tab 19 adapted to engage in an H-shaped locking slot formation20 in the sheet.

The horizontal crease line 16 has at each end vertical crease lines 21and 22 permitting folding of the sheet to form two vertically extendingside panels 23 and 24 whereby the erected sleeve is of a generallytriangular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes mayalternatively be used.

In use, the top attachment system enables the protector to be fixed tothe wire without any clips. The locking tongue 17 locks the wire at thetop and the tab 19 on the securing flap 12 is prevented from slippingout of the slot 20 as shown in the drawings, whereby the securing flap12 is held against disengagement. The sealing tabs 14 ensure that thesleeve is closed tightly and prevents any gaps through which the plantcould grow. However, it can be opened and closed many times withoutdamage so that access to the plant is possible. The manner in which thesleeve is opened and closed by manipulating the tabs 14 is illustratedin FIGS. 4 and 5, from which it will be noted that the edge portions ofeach tab 14 have an undercut formation 14a which releasably, butpositively, interlocks with the undercut formation of the adjacent edgeportion of the adjacent tab by simple manipulation of the tabs.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the securing flap 12 is of simplerconstruction and avoids the need for a locking tongue. The flap 12 inthis embodiment is engaged in a rectangular locking slot 30 in the sheetand is securely retained therein by the co-operation between the tab 19and the sides of the locking slot 30 and also by means of a locking tab32 at the base of the locking slot 30, the locking tab 32 being foldableabout a horizontal crease line. In this embodiment, notches 34 forreceiving the supporting wire whereby to provide firm location of theprotector relative to the wire, are provided at the inner edges of thetwo outer panels 23,24.

In the embodiments described thus far the opposite sides of the flatsheet 10 are cut away towards their upper ends to form an opening at thefront of the protector. This opening is clearly visible in FIG. 2 and isdesigned to permit exit of lateral growth. Although as shown in thedrawings the opening formed by the cutaway portions is of a V-shape, itmay alternatively be of another shape to achieve the same purpose. Insome instances the cutaway to form the opening can leave a rough edge,particularly if the protector is formed from flute board and theroughness of the edge may cause some damage to the plant. The embodimentshown in FIGS. 7 and 8 avoids this difficulty by forming the opening notby cutting back the edges of the sheet but, instead, by forming inclinedfold lines 50 which define flaps 52 which, in the assembled protector asshown in FIG. 8, are folded back and retained behind the supportingwire. The flaps 52 thus form a collar at each side of the opening andthus avoid the formation of a rough edge at the position at whichlateral growth exits the protector via the opening.

While the protector of the preferred embodiments is particularlyapplicable to vine guard applications, its wider usages will be readilyapparent, and of course it will be usable with either a singlesupporting wire at any desired height from the ground, or with a trellisor fence-type structure having a plurality of wires at differentheights. The plant protector may be made simply and inexpensively, islight in weight for ease of transportation and can be stacked in largenumbers in compact form. In use, the protector will guard against damageto the plant from severe weather, vermin, and the effects of herbicidesprays to the surrounding ground.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plant protector, comprising a flexible sheetadapted to be deformed to surround a growing plant to constitute avertically elongate protective sleeve, said sheet having:opposedelongate side edges which, when the sleeve is assembled around theplant, are in adjacent relationship; means for releasably securing theadjacent elongate side edges of the assembled sleeve, said securingmeans comprising a series of spaced projecting tabs along each of saidedges so arranged that the projecting tabs of the two side edgesinterengage, with edge portions of adjacent projecting tabsinterengaging one behind the other, and being of undercut formationwhereby the interengaged edge portions of the flaps are positivelyinterlocked one to the other; means for securing an upper end of theplant protector to a horizontal supporting wire, said securing meanscomprising a securing flap extending from the upper end of the plantprotector and being foldable about a horizontal crease line around thesupporting wire; and means for releasably retaining the securing flap inits folded condition to releasably secure the plant protector to thesupporting wire.
 2. The plant protector of claim 1, wherein the securingflap comprises a locking tab engageable within a locking slot in thesheet material to retain the flap in its folded condition.
 3. The plantprotector of claim 1, wherein the securing flap is integral with thesheet.
 4. A plant protector according to claim 1, wherein the flexiblesheet from which the protector is formed is a plastics flute board withflute lines running vertically in the assembled protector.
 5. A plantprotector according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material is initiallyflat and is foldable around the plant to form a sleeve of a polygonalcross-section.
 6. A plant protector according to claim 5, wherein thecross-section of an assembled protector is substantially of triangularshape.
 7. A plant protector, comprising a flexible sheet adapted to bedeformed to surround a growing plant to constitute a vertically elongateprotective sleeve, said sheet having:opposed elongate side edges which,when the sleeve is assembled around the plant, are in adjacentrelationship; a series of spaced projecting tabs along each of saidedges so arranged that the tabs of the two side edges interengage toreleasably secure the adjacent elongate side edges of the assembledsleeve with edge portions of adjacent tabs interengaging one behind theother; means for securing an upper end of the plant protector to ahorizontal supporting wire, said securing means comprising a securingflap extending from the upper end of the plant protector and foldableabout a horizontal crease line around the supporting wire, and notchesfor receiving the supporting wire to locate the protector relative tothe supporting wire; and means for releasably retaining the securingflap in its folded condition to releasably secure the plant protector tothe supporting wire.
 8. A plant protector according to claim 7, whereinthe flexible sheet from which the protector is formed is a plasticsflute board with flute lines running vertically in the assembledprotector.
 9. A plant protector according to claim 7, wherein the sheetmaterial is initially flat and is foldable around the plant to form asleeve of a polygonal cross-section.
 10. A plant protector according toclaim 9, wherein the cross-section of an assembled protector issubstantially of triangular shape.
 11. A plant protector, comprising:aflexible sheet which is initially substantially flat and is adapted tobe folded to surround a plant to constitute a vertically elongateprotective sleeve; means for sealingly and releasably securing adjacentside edges of the sheet in assembled relation comprising a series ofspaced projecting tabs along each of said side edges, the projectingtabs having edge portions which releasably interengage one behind theother; and an integral securing flap at an upper end of the protector,said securing flap being foldable about a horizontal crease linealignable with a horizontal supporting wire whereby the securing flapmay be folded over the supporting wire to an operative position at whichreleasable locking means on the securing flap retains the flap inposition to secure the plant protector to the wire.
 12. A plantprotector according to claim 11, wherein the flexible sheet is folded toform lateral flaps bounding outlets for exit of lateral plant growthfrom adjacent the upper end of the protector.
 13. A plant protector,comprising a flexible sheet adapted to be deformed to surround a growingplant to constitute a vertically elongate protective sleeve, said sheethaving:opposed elongate side edges which, when the sleeve is assembledaround the plant, are in adjacent relationship, the flexible sheetfolded along inclined fold lines to form lateral flaps bounding outletsfor exit of lateral plant growth from adjacent an upper end of theprotector; and means for releasably securing the adjacent elongate sideedges of the assembled sleeve, said securing means comprising a seriesof spaced projecting tabs along each of said edges so arranged that therespective tabs of the two series interengage, with the edge portions ofadjacent tabs interengaging one behind the other.
 14. A plant protector,comprising:a flexible sheet which is initially substantially flat and isadapted to be folded to surround a growing plant to constitute avertically elongate protective sleeve, the flexible sheet folded to formlateral flaps bounding outlets for exit of lateral plant growth fromadjacent the upper end of the protector; means for sealingly andreleasably securing adjacent side edges of the sheet in assembledrelation, and an integral securing flap at an upper end of theprotector, said securing flap being foldable about a horizontal creaseline alignable with a horizontal supporting wire whereby the securingflap may be folded over the supporting wire to an operative position atwhich releasable locking means on the securing flap retains the flap inposition to secure the plant protector to the wire.
 15. A plantprotector comprising a flexible sheet adapted to be deformed to surrounda growing plant to constitute a vertically elongate protective sleeve,said sheet having:opposed elongate side edges which, when the sleeve isassembled around the plant, are in adjacent relationship, and means forreleasably securing adjacent elongate side edges of the assembledsleeve, said securing means comprising a series of spaced projectingtabs along each of said edges so arranged that respective projectingtabs of the two series interengage, with edge portions of adjacentprojecting tabs interengaging one behind the other, and being ofundercut formation whereby the interengaged edge portions of the flapsare positively interlocked one to the other to prevent any gaps throughwhich the plant could grow.
 16. A plant protector, comprising:a flexiblesheet which is initially substantially flat and is adapted to be foldedto surround a growing plant to constitute a vertically elongateprotective sleeve; means for sealingly and releasably securing adjacentside edges of the sheet in assembled relation; and an integral securingflap with a releasable locking means at an upper end of the protector,the flap extending upwardly from a side wall, said flap being foldableabout a horizontal crease line alignable with a horizontal supportingwire whereby the securing flap may be folded over the supporting wiredownwardly to an operative position at which the supporting wire liesagainst the side wall and said releasable locking means engaging thesidewall to retain the flap in position to secure the plant protector tothe wire.